Unique Fruits Of Nepal

Benazir Ahmed Siddique

In the intolerable heat of summer, all the juicy fruits appear with relief and joy. Different seasonal fruits are coming in the market. The market shelves are now filled with the summer fruits, most of which are incredible tasty. Their succulent, juicy, soothing, sweet aftertaste leaves you craving for more. 

When the sun rays down on you as hard as it does, you just cannot resist yourself from mouthwatering fruits. After all, fresh versions of local fruits are only available once a year. Nepal is a paradise for fruits. Let us explore some local and unique fruits in Nepal.

Aiselu has a deep relationship with the Nepali mountains and mind. This fruit, which is found in a bush; even in the bush, it is hidden inside the thorns. Aiselu, also known as Golden Himalayan Raspberry, has a lot of social, cultural and lifestyle identity in Nepal.

 The childhood of many of us may have revolved around the memory of Aiselu. While playing hide-and-seek, Aiselu can give sweet memories to many Nepali minds. It is usually eaten from January to July. Many birds and elephants love to eat its leaves and fruits. Aeselu's juice, leaves and stalks have a long history of being used in traditional Tibetan medicine to treat various ailments and pains. Aiselu leaves are also used to make blue and purple colors.

 In places including Sikkim, Aiselu is also used medicinally to reduce stomach pain and strengthen the digestive system. Aiselu wine is also considered to be very valuable and rare, if it is easily processed and cultivated commercially, Aiselu can also become the basis of livelihood.

Kaaphal is one of the extremely delicious wild fruits found throughout mid-Himalayan region. The fruit looks somewhat like deep-red colored raspberries. They barely have any pulp; have a big round seed in the center. Since they are very refreshing to eat, they are well liked by many Nepalese.  When I saw the Kaaphal it made my mouth water. I was remembering my childhood days.  

There is much folklore interlinked with Kaaphal and life in Himalayas than any other fruits. Here are two favorite tragic tales about why birds sing during Kaaphal season. A Nepali tale of a brother who leaves his sister to join an army. He promises to return every year to enjoy Kaaphal together. He never returns, but she continues to send message every year when Kaaphal ripens.  Even after her death, she now returns as a bird to let us know "kafal pakyo" or kafal is ripe". There is another touching story behind behind Kaaphal. It is said that a poor woman and her daughter lived in a village. There was nothing from which she could barely make a living used to sell. 

Once the woman filled a basket with fruits from the forest. It was early in the morning when she was going to fetch fodder for the animals, so she decided to sell the fruits in the evening and called her innocent daughter and asked her to guard the fruits, and instructed that do not eat the fruits until I come from the forest, I myself will let you eat the fruits later. Obeying the mother's word, the daughter kept guarding the fruits, after this many times after seeing the juicy fruits, greed came in her mind, but after obeying her mother's words, she kept herself under control. 

When mom returns, she realizes the Kaaphal has lost some weight. Suspecting her daughter must have eaten some, mom punishes her by beating. The daughter kept on crying that she did not taste any Kaaphal.  It rains and Kaaphal gain back some weight that they had lost due to scorching summer heat.  Unfortunately the girl died, and now she comes back every year in Kaaphal season as a bird to sing " Kaaphal pakko, meil ni chakkho" or Kaaphal has ripened, but I didn't taste them." 

Kaaphal is picked from a dozen-meter long wild trees during May and June.  Kaaphal trees are found on hills of Nepal, between the altitudes of one and two thousand meters above sea level.  Kaaphal changes to reddish purple color ellipsoid-shape fruit at its maturity. The bark of Kaaphal is said to have several medicinal properties. It is valuable in catarrhal fever, cough and the infections of the throat, ear infection. Kaaphal has a decent dietary benefit. 

Chutro grows along the Himalayas, at an elevation between 2000 and 2500 meters. It produces purple fruits which have a weight of approximately 227 mg. The fruits of Chutro plant have a both sweet and sour taste and are high in vitamins. 

The fruit is ripe in the months of May and June and can stay on the plant ripe until it begins to rain. Chutro remains a wild plant and is collected by the Nepalese people from the wild forests. Chutro is a shrub with many historical uses in Nepal, and a potential to be promoted internationally. 

Chutro has a long history of being a medicinal product in Nepal and other South Asian countries. It is used for the management of diabetes, heart problems, liver troubles, healing wounds, fever, and diarrhea. 

Agriculture is a key economic sector in Nepal, but only about 17 percent of land is available for farming, but 42 percent is woodland. Local fruits have a tremendous impact on the ability of farmers to get higher income. Thus, these local fruits are good option to expand the economy of Nepal.

(The author is a pharmacist, writer and social activist)